Bringing hope to education
In 2017, five dedicated Coptic teachers from the Nuba Mountains in southern Sudan set out to make a difference. They rented a small space in a poor suburb of Omdurman, near Khartoum, and started Elrayan Primary School.
It began as a Christian school, but word quickly spread, and before long, Muslim children began enrolling too. Today, the school welcomes over 500 students from diverse backgrounds.
With passionate teachers, small class sizes, and extra tutoring sessions, Elrayan students consistently outperform their peers in local state schools, where overcrowding and under-motivation are common.
Teacher Rajaa, a mother of six, proudly shares: “Students in my class had struggled at first, especially those from state schools. But through extra lessons and lots of encouragement, every single one of them passed their final exams.”
Religion classes
The school is also unique in offering both Christian and Islamic religion classes, something rarely seen in state schools despite being a required final exam subject. For families who can’t afford the modest school fees, no child is turned away.
The impact of Elrayan is felt far beyond the classroom. Children now spend their time studying instead of joining street gangs, with petty crime in the surrounding neighborhoods significantly reduced. “Older students no longer feel the need to prove themselves on the streets,” says teacher Jirjis. “In fact, they stand against it.”
The Education East Africa Foundation has supported Elrayan since its early days, providing monthly contributions for teacher salaries and funding for vital school resources like textbooks and furniture. However, the need is still great to keep the school running and growing.
Every little bit helps!
Stories like ten-year-old Hozeifa’s highlight just how vital Elrayan is. Having transferred from a state school, where he was one of 100 children in a class, he says, “The teachers here are much kinder. They explain things to us. My old school? They used to hit us.”
Now, more than ever, Elrayan Primary School needs help to continue transforming lives. Whether through a small monthly contribution or a one-off donation, your support can help provide these children with the education — and hope — they deserve.